Leg-brace for horses



(No Model.)-

H. D. WARD.

LEG BRAGE FOR HORSES.

Patented Nov. 18, 1884.

N. PETERS PholwLvmo m her. Washmglu. D. C,

ATENT Tr cia.

UNITE STATES HENRY \VARD, OF WVOROESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

LEG-BRACE FOR HORSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 308,114, dated November 18, 1884-.

Application filed June 23, 1884. (No model.)

zen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Device for Straightening and Strengthening Horses Legs, &c., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a side view of the front leg of a horse with my device attached thereto. Fig. 2 represents on an enlarged scale a central longitudinal section through the device shown in Fig. l; and Figs. 3 and 4 represent modifications of my device, as will be hereinafter fully described.

My invention relates to a device especially designed to be used for the purpose of straightening and strengthening horseslegs which have become knee-sprung or weakened from any cause. It is applied and attached to the leg of the horse in substantially the manner shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and it consists of two flat pieces of metal or other substance pivoted or hinged together, to allow of the bending of the leg, if desired, when the device is in place, and having one or more spiral springs or other suitable tension devices, said tension devices being secured to the said flat pieces in substantially the manner shown, for the purpose of drawing the said pieces toward each other and bringing a pressure to bear upon the knee when the device is in use. The flat pieces and the springs may be covered with leather or other suitable material, and are provided with straps or means for attaching the device in position and holding it in place when in use. Apadding or filling may be used to furnish a cushion-surface to press against the leg.

In the drawings, A represents a horses leg, and B my device attached thereto. The device B is made of two flat pieces of metal or other substance, 0 and D, of substantially the shape shown in the drawings, with their-ends hinged or pivoted together, as shown at a, Fig. 3, so as to allow of their bending in either direction. A spiral spring, E, is secured to the parts 0 and D in any suitable manner, one end being fastened to the part 0 and the other end to the part D, so that the parts 0 and D, hinged together, will be drawn toward each other.

In Fig. 3 I have shown two spiral springs; and three or more may be used, if desired, as I do not wish to limit myself to the use of a single spring or tension device.

In Fig. 4. I have shown one end of the spring attached to the part 0 or D by means of an eye, b, passing over a bolt, 0, provided with a thumb-nut, d, to allow of that end of the spring being raised or lowered, if desired.

In lieu of the spiral springs E shown in the drawings, any other equivalent andwell-known tension device may be usedas rubber bands, &c.and the degree of tension maybe varied as desired, I

The parts 0 and D and the spring or springs E may be covered with leather, F, or any other suitable material, as shown, to which are secured straps G; but said straps may-be secured directly to the parts 0 and D, if preferred, and in lieu of said straps G any other suitable and well-known means may be employed for attaching the device B to the leg of the wearer. be used to make a soft surface to press against the leg; but this padding may be dispensed with, if desired. The covering F may also be dispensed with, and only the parts 0 and D, hinged together and provided with a. tension device for drawing the parts toward each other, and means for attaching them to the wearer, be used. I have stated that my device is especially designed to be used on horses legs for straightening and strengthening them; but it may also be used, if desired, upon the legs of any other animals, and also upon the legs or arms of human beings.

Having described my improved device for straightening and strengthening the legs of horses or other animals, what I claim as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by a patent, is

1. A straightening and strengthening de vice composed of two parts hinged or pivoted A padding or filling, H, may 4 together in substantially the manner shown, more spiral springs, E, secured thereto, of the and having one or more spiral springs or tencovering F and straps G, substantially as sion devices secured thereto, for the purpose shown and described.

stated, and means for attaching the device, HENRY D. WVARD. 5 substantially as shown and described. \Vitnesses:

2. The combination, with the parts 0 and JOHN G. DEWEY,

D, hinged or pivoted together, and one orl GEo. LAYNG. 

